[quote]m0dd3r wrote:
NeilMc wrote:
m0dd3r wrote:
Except now the US actually has a shot at making it out of the pool if we can score enough points against Tonga, not give up too many to the Boks, and not get beaten up too badly by Samoa. Losing Emerick in the centers sucks, but I suppose it could be a lot worse.
WTF America has no hopes of getting if they were to only win one match, it doesnt make sense
I think its great that all these teams like portugal georgia USA etc are really developing and competing against the “superior” nations
The Argentina and Georgia match was tense in terms of the bonus point factor in that they got it at the very last play oh shame
when I said “not get beaten up too badly by samoa” I meant America wins the match without any of our players getting killed or suffering major injuries. Samoa plays hard and physical, but there are a lot of holes in their defense and they don’t score a lot of points.
So if the US could pull off 2 wins with a lot of points, and then not give up too much to the Boks, we’d have a chance at making the runner up spot over England on points differential.[/quote]
Dude get back to reality.
The USA’s one chance of a win was today and unfortunately they lost 25-10. You will not beat Samoa.
Regarding England, Farrell at fly half could be either very Brave or very daft. That game is going to be intense.
The USA’s one chance of a win was today and unfortunately they lost 25-10. You will not beat Samoa.
Regarding England, Farrell at fly half could be either very Brave or very daft. That game is going to be intense.[/quote]
yeah, unfortunately I wrote those posts before we got beat by Tonga, so there goes that glimmer of hope. And I never really thought it would actually happen, just pointing out that the possibility at least existed.
I’m not really sure what to think about Farrell at fly half, don’t think I’ve ever seen him play there. England better step it up a notch or two though if they plan on beating South Africa.
The USA’s one chance of a win was today and unfortunately they lost 25-10. You will not beat Samoa.
Regarding England, Farrell at fly half could be either very Brave or very daft. That game is going to be intense.
yeah, unfortunately I wrote those posts before we got beat by Tonga, so there goes that glimmer of hope. And I never really thought it would actually happen, just pointing out that the possibility at least existed.
I’m not really sure what to think about Farrell at fly half, don’t think I’ve ever seen him play there. England better step it up a notch or two though if they plan on beating South Africa. [/quote]
Farrel had a tremendously successful career at RUGBY LEAGUE at half back. Similar roles but different too. In Union he has 1 game experience. I hope the management know something we don’t - apparently he is very much a leader and top player behind closed doors. Time to deliver now.
USA-Tonga was painful to watch. The brave Eagles who could’ve at least tied England reverted to the Eagles that I’ve always known. The players knocked on every other phases, they couldn’t tackle try scorers, and rucking was so bad that one of the players actually bound to an opponent after being offsides and the referee tapped him on his shoulder to send him to the back rather than blow his whistle! Embarrassing.
South Africa will kill us for sure, even worse than England. But Samoa is beatable. I just want one win. One. My favorite sport and my country sucks in it.
Well, apparently Ashton’s changed his mind and now Mike Catt’s going to be wearing the number 10 jersey against the Boks. Supposedly they’re going to be splitting duties as fly half and inside centre, which could be an interesting tactic. Although I imagine it’s more likely just going to confuse things for England.
BF, I agree, it’s really too bad we suck so bad, but at least we’re now showing signs of getting better (the England match). I also thing Samoa is beatable, especially if the Eagles’ backs can hold out for a big scoring push near the end when the Samoans are out of gas. If only Ngwenya was able to hold onto the bloody ball…
btw, you’re from mass right? Do you play rugby locally? I play for Providence and I think we’re playing up in Boston this weekend.
[quote]m0dd3r wrote:
btw, you’re from mass right? Do you play rugby locally? I play for Providence and I think we’re playing up in Boston this weekend.[/quote]
Nice. I played for Boston U. and have spent short times in Charles River. Right now playing is hold due to being a teacher AND working on my Master’s. For now I’m more than happy to watch it on TV.
I understand part of the reason why the US needs to be better is that most of the players don’t play/practice together for the majority of the match, and the only tests we do is our Churchill Cup.
But for Pete’s sake, if you’re not New Zealand, don’t try to do crazy passes like them when you’re 15 meters away from a try! >:-O I hope they stick to what worked for them, wearing their opponents out with frequent rucks and mauls, for the Samoa game. At our state nothing will work against South Africa.
well - today is the day of reckoning for England. I would have wanted Lawrence in the team - personally if im playing against a bunch of nasty bastards i want to see him rather than the alternatives.
[quote]BF Bullpup wrote:
USA-Tonga was painful to watch. The brave Eagles who could’ve at least tied England reverted to the Eagles that I’ve always known. The players knocked on every other phases, they couldn’t tackle try scorers, and rucking was so bad that one of the players actually bound to an opponent after being offsides and the referee tapped him on his shoulder to send him to the back rather than blow his whistle! Embarrassing.
South Africa will kill us for sure, even worse than England. But Samoa is beatable. I just want one win. One. My favorite sport and my country sucks in it.[/quote]
After watching the England game, I thought my predictions were going to come through.
Whether it was backing up to quickly from the English game, or thinking about the next game. As you said above, they lost all their structure, also your loosies and who ever broke the line, they were left isolated, which cost dearly.
Is there really any way to defend that performance this evening?
England 0 - RSA 36
Shame Robinson had to end his career like that. But seriously, Andy Farrell in the starting line? Alright so the alternatives are younger, more inexperienced players but coming up against a side like the South Africans who are always fast paced and quick off the mark you can’t afford to have old farts like himself and Catt fumbling around.
Please, please, please let us perform well against Georgia tomorrow!!!
The USA’s one chance of a win was today and unfortunately they lost 25-10. You will not beat Samoa.
Regarding England, Farrell at fly half could be either very Brave or very daft. That game is going to be intense.
yeah, unfortunately I wrote those posts before we got beat by Tonga, so there goes that glimmer of hope. And I never really thought it would actually happen, just pointing out that the possibility at least existed.
I’m not really sure what to think about Farrell at fly half, don’t think I’ve ever seen him play there. England better step it up a notch or two though if they plan on beating South Africa.
Farrel had a tremendously successful career at RUGBY LEAGUE at half back. Similar roles but different too. In Union he has 1 game experience. I hope the management know something we don’t - apparently he is very much a leader and top player behind closed doors. Time to deliver now.[/quote]
He played Loose Forward mainly fella. A good ball player but a big lad, more suited to loose forward than half back cos he’s not really quick and nimble enough. He was a great leader for Wigan. I remember seeing him play nearly a full game with a broken nose. Just taped it up, the hard bastard.
[quote]AdamC wrote:
He played Loose Forward mainly fella. A good ball player but a big lad, more suited to loose forward than half back cos he’s not really quick and nimble enough. He was a great leader for Wigan. I remember seeing him play nearly a full game with a broken nose. Just taped it up, the hard bastard.
Didn’t see the game but the score was not pretty.
[/quote]
correct - mostly a loose forward but did play elsewhere. He didn’t actually have that bad a game and neither did catt - incidently gem, everyone else was bloody injured so couldnt play.
Fourie du Preez was from another planet though - or rather was allowed to play that way. His opposite number, Perry is just not an international scrum half imo.
His pass was slow and inaccurate. We didn’t clear out well enough either. Poor.
Listening to Martin Johnson talk common sense before and during half time I began to wonder what the hell was being said in the England changing room - not that it would of made a great deal of difference.
The annoying thing was that it seems SA didnt have to work that hard for a record inflicting defeat - having said that, they seem to be masters at exploiting turnover ball in the same way the all blacks were a couple of seasons ago (may still be, just not seen enough of them yet).
Its not quite over, but not far off. Only France from the NH can challenge imo.
Just watched the second half of the Oz v Wales game. Is it just me, or is Union getting much faster, and the players getting much quicker and stronger?
I used to be a die hard League fan, but it seems the Union lads are getting really athletic, and defensively a lot tighter and tougher than they used to be.
[quote]AdamC wrote:
Just watched the second half of the Oz v Wales game. Is it just me, or is Union getting much faster, and the players getting much quicker and stronger?
I used to be a die hard League fan, but it seems the Union lads are getting really athletic, and defensively a lot tighter and tougher than they used to be.[/quote]
I agree. These guys are unreal. I don’t get to see enough rugby over here but the physiques alone look greatly improved. Is it because the new types of shirts show of the physique better or are they just training harder?
[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
AdamC wrote:
Just watched the second half of the Oz v Wales game. Is it just me, or is Union getting much faster, and the players getting much quicker and stronger?
I used to be a die hard League fan, but it seems the Union lads are getting really athletic, and defensively a lot tighter and tougher than they used to be.
I agree. These guys are unreal. I don’t get to see enough rugby over here but the physiques alone look greatly improved. Is it because the new types of shirts show of the physique better or are they just training harder?[/quote]
My understanding is that since the game went pro, whatever that was, ten or fifteen years ago, the training and nutrition have been like night and day compared to before. And I’m sure steroid, HGH use and the like are up a ton as well.
I met some of the players on the U.S. team in a bar in Montpellier after the Tonga loss Wednesday, and they’re all big dudes. Not like Willie McGinest, the scariest looking man I’ve ever seen in person, but still impressive.
[quote]AdamC wrote:
Just watched the second half of the Oz v Wales game. Is it just me, or is Union getting much faster, and the players getting much quicker and stronger?
I used to be a die hard League fan, but it seems the Union lads are getting really athletic, and defensively a lot tighter and tougher than they used to be.[/quote]
Its taken a few years but yes - they are now much more athletic for sure. When the first influx of League guys went to union in the mid 90’s (Robinson to bath, Paul to Harlequins), they excelled and made the union guys look idiots.
I think it was Paul who mentioned how poor the fitness levels were compared to league. Well - given the influence of more professional strength and conditioning coaches (on the whole that is, there are still uninformed individuals who get positions), the pro influence of rugby league and the ‘pinching’ of sporting models such as those in the NFL - attitudes and appearances have changed.
I’d argue union is now one of the professional sports about.
There are still idiots about at certain levels who will do their best to convince you that you don’t need a weight training programme. Its come a long way at the top though.
On a lighter note - GEORGIA are the team of the world cup right now. Ireland - you were very very lucky tonight and your not getting anywhere of note in this world cup.
Bravo Georgia! Let down only by erratic kicking they had Ireland seriously under pressure. O’Connell looked frightened at times (not a common occurence).
On balance, it was clear that Ireland had far better skills, but the Georgians played as a team, which filled the gap and more.
[quote]supermick wrote:
On a lighter note - GEORGIA are the team of the world cup right now. Ireland - you were very very lucky tonight and your not getting anywhere of note in this world cup.
[/quote]
sigh I’m just embarassed to be an Ireland supporter right now. Georgia played to the best of their ability for sure, but let’s be honest, that’s still not particularly good. And yet we still only scraped a lucky win.
Unforced errors, gaping holes in the defense, no visible leadership, and less passion than a three day old fish carcass - bloody hell, when did BOD and the boys go from so good to so, so, so bad?
I’m dreading next weekend… the French are going to pulverise us. And deservedly so.
Damn right G’em…sucks to be an Irish rugby supporter right now. Flannery should be on the pitch from the start. O’Gara isn’t finding touch…It should have been hickie’s left boot that did most of the tactical kicking yesterday given O’gara’s performance. On top of that, the flankers aren’t making any respectable effort to close down the opposition kickers. Put simply, its a load of bollox.
Oh and the forwards…who bear most of the blame for this, aren’t turnign over possession at the breakdown. Also stringer is losing the ball for us by throwing his hands up in the air and complaining to the ref…that is all for now.
Looks like France is back. Even if Namibia is one of the weaker teams in the tournament, les Bleus at times played superbly. The France-Ireland game will look like a straight decider, although we should not discount Georgia’s chances to mess up the 1st 2nd and 3rd rankings.
